In this issue:

• Article 8.6.1 Shift and Day off Scheduling. How management has been misusing this language and what you need to look for
• Association Group Grievance filed on behalf of nurses who lost homes
• BSN Premium – Time to submit the paperwork!
• Engagement Survey! 

How management has been misusing this language and what you need to look for.

This past spring, management in the Endoscopy unit unilaterally decided to expand services to weekends. For nurses, this resulted in the sudden creation of weekend work without bargaining.

Rather than managing the new weekend shifts through attrition and other available staffing options, management has attempted to apply Article 8.6.1, Shift and Day Off Scheduling, in a way that would allow them to require nurses to cover holes in the schedule at any given time.

We have pushed back on this interpretation and reiterated that it is not consistent with our contract. Article 8.6.1 addresses patterns, not individual shifts. This interpretation was also addressed through arbitration in 2024, when WSNA prevailed on a grievance involving this issue.

The current contract provides management with multiple options for filling staffing needs and schedule vacancies. There is no need to apply Article 8.6.1 outside of its intended meaning. The language was negotiated for a specific purpose and has been protected through the grievance and arbitration process.

As a result, a grievance has been filed to protect Endoscopy nurses and preserve the proper application of Article 8.6.1. If management is using Article 8.6.1 to rotate nurses into individual shifts or require nurses to fill staffing holes, that is not an acceptable application of the contract.

If you are being directed to work a shift under this interpretation of Article 8.6.1, please contact Nurse Representative Jaclyn Smedley, BSN, RN immediately. Your documentation and timely notification are important in protecting your contractual rights.

Association Group Grievance filed on behalf of nurses who lost homes

Each and every one of us knows someone who was impacted by the recent Spokane Complex fires, and for some, the devastation has been unimaginable. At Sacred Heart, four WSNA nurses lost their homes, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support them through this incredibly difficult time.

We are deeply disappointed that Sacred Heart has taken the position that these nurses cannot use their Extended Illness Time (EIT) banks while they are coping with the loss of their homes and need to be away from work.

These nurses have earned this time, and we believe past practice supports allowing them to access their EIT during this extraordinary circumstance. A grievance has been filed to address this issue, and we will continue to advocate for these RNs and work toward a resolution that provides them the support they need during this devastating time.

Our nurses should not have to choose between taking care of themselves and their families after losing everything and protecting their income. We will continue to stand with these nurses and do everything we can to ensure they are treated fairly and supported when they need it most.

BSN Premium – Time to submit the paperwork!

In preparation for the implementation of Article 7.5 as it pertains to our new BSN premium, eligible SHMC WSNA nurses may begin submitting education and certification documentation starting August 1, 2026, to establish eligibility for premium pay.

Article 7.5 provides premium pay opportunities for eligible nurses with qualifying academic degrees (BSN, MSN, DNP) and specialty certifications.

Please note that the education and certification submission processes are separate. Nurses who qualify for both premiums must complete both submission processes.

Required Actions

• Review the Education and Certification Premium Submission Guide for eligibility requirements, required documentation, submission instructions, deadlines, and frequently asked questions.
• Review Article 7.5 of the SHMC Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) for complete eligibility and premium pay details.
• Submit all required documentation as early as possible to allow sufficient time for review and processing.

 Important Deadlines!

Documentation must be submitted by September 19, 2026, to support processing for the:

• October 4, 2026 pay period
• October 23, 2026 paycheck

Engagement Survey!

Your voice matters! As we continue working to strengthen our unity we are asking every nurse to complete our Engagement Survey. Your honest feedback will help guide future opportunities for nurses that reflect how our valuable nurses want to build power. The survey is confidential, takes only a few minutes to complete, and every response helps us. We encourage everyone to participate and thank you in advance!

To begin use the provided link. Your feedback is appreciated! https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/D3h1JGg8CN 

Questions about any of these updates or any issues in the workplace? Contact one of your officers or WSNA Nurse Representative Jaclyn Smedley, jsmedley@wsna.org.